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As the terrain changed from forest to desert, the caravan moved slower to prevent sand gumming up their wheels. Akuitora was starting to get bored with the slow travel, but on the bright side they hadn't seen any trouble. To blend in better with some of the other merchants, she had on a slightly white cloak. Akuitora looked back to Vox, Nasukara, and Zaku, trying to force a grin.

Nasukara was wondering what was keeping the thieves from attacking. He looked around the environment as he walked, spying his eye on a decently sized hill he said "We can stop and rest up there, on that hill, it gives us good ground to check out our surroundings, and to see what may lie ahead for us" as he finished talking he heard a faint rustle in the bush behind him but didn't react to it as to startle anyone in the group.

A lizard rushed out of the bush and onto the road right next to where Nasukara was walking, Nasukara picked up the lizard, pet it, and then placed it back near the bush.

as they walked up to the top of the hill, Nasukara felt the ground and trees around him, looking hesitantly into the distance. waiting for any sign of anyone that may cross their path. he felt distant footprints, and looking out he saw a shimmer of light on the path. As if the sun reflected off of something metal.

Someone's coming, so act casual, it could just be a regular person, or it could be a ninja disguised as a merchant like us, either that or just a flat out stupid thief that doesn't know much at all.

The shadowy figure planted his feet firmly on a sand dune high in the dry sands of the desert, his toeless ninja boots filled with the sand, as his cloak very thoroughly concealed his face. As of recently he was known, and feared, simply by the title of "The Bandit King". The barren air swept over him and his group of thieves, he rotated his head toward the group, to better allow his speech to be heard.

Well boys, I have asked you all here because I have received a rather generous tip that there would be a incredibly valuable piece of merchandise traveling within the next day or so, if we retrieve the item it could mean the end of my reign. I would just like to let you all know it has been a pleasure working with you all...

A powerful laugh escaped him, despite himself. The group contained 5 squads, a jounin squad leader, followed by 4 men each, though most of them weren't even qualified as gennin, their purpose would sadly end up being distraction. The Bandit King shook his head his stare turned downward, he hated having distraction participants, his first rule was never kill, and only injure if completely necessary, yet sometimes the ninjas guarding the items weren't so kind.

He had a group of 25 men excluding himself, 5 of those men could fight well, 10 if not less could hold their own, the rest could barely throw a kunai, but they were excellent thieves. Thieving alone won't be enough in this case, he knew there was a fight for the goods.

He stared off again into the endless sand, he knew there would be a fight, he had heard that the item appeared to have sloppy and careless guards. The thought of an easy steal pleased him, though unease crept into his gut, he was certain if the item was that valuable then the guards were very skilled, or there would be a lot more than anticipated.

Well, we might as well get moving...There is no need for stealth, we will encounter the group, and they will put up a fight, of that I'm sure. So we will move toward Konoha, my informant tells me that is where the caravan will begin. Let's move out now.

He tasted the potentially last order he would give as it slid off his tongue, the words were bitter sweet. He wished he could move on, hurt and steal no more, but he had his dues and he had his reasons, and he would fulfill what he needed before removing his title and returning to his life. Yet, he enjoyed being in charge, respected for what he could do and accomplish. Though this isn't what he had hoped for when he would be in charge of a group, he had hoped for a group of ninjas with honor who would die for their country, and maybe someday he will be able to do that.

He shifted his cloak, adjusting the large blades strapped to his back in the shape of a very deadly 'x'. He removed his foot from the temporary borough created by his weight, and moved it forward. He and his men marched forward toward Konoha, and that was the first step to what could conceivably be his last mission as the Bandit King.

Akuitora stopped at the top of the hill, breathing a little heavily due to the dry heat, but once she heard Nasukara's warning, her left hand flew to the pouch where she stowed her weapons. She didn't want to give away their level of expertise by putting the claws on, but having them within reach was comforting.

Remember guys, we're a couple of schmucks until they actually show themselves. Akuitora hissed towards Zaku and Vox, waiting in barely hidden anticipation for the bandits to come by.

Nasukara nodded toward Akuitora in agreement of her statement. He wanted whoever was on the road to be the enemy, but he couldn't risk a mistake. It was noon, and what better way to add to the casual mind set than to break out some food for a lunch break. Nasukara reached into the back of the merchant's cart and pulled out a few biscuits, he sat by a tree where he still had good sight, and watched as the potential enemies drew closer.

Don't be so tense, if these aren't the bandits then we might just be making ourselves paranoid over nothing, but of course we also need to stay alert, and calm. Casual, just in case.

((OOC: Zaku and me had a chat about his involvement in the RP and as of right now he can't participate in it, rather than end the storyline or just leave or wait for him, I felt this would work out much better))

As the Bandit King's men and himself marched ever closer to the caravan of his payday, the sand picked up and danced amongst the air, adding mystery to the mood. He laughed inwardly behind the cloth that rested in front of his mouth. His hands clenched into tight fists at his side as he struggled balance in the strengthening winds.

Elsewhere, two of his men had taken orders to spot the caravan as close to Konoha as they could, with strict orders to postpone and not to kill any members, yet kidnapping was certainly not out of the question. The thieves, and soon to be alleged kidnappers hid in the trees. spotting a caravan of 5 members, looking like they were about to enjoy lunch. The two men noticed that one must have felt out of place because he ventured away from the group, just in their reach.

The two bandits jumped down from the trees, one of them firmly placing his hands on the boys mouth, the other placing a kunai at him and restricting his hands.

Now...do as I say and you will live... do you understand?

A hesitant broken nod was the boy's reply.

Good...First, tell us your name...then...Tell your friends that you must return to the village and they should go on with out you.

In a cracked and strained voice the boy said his name was Zaku, then he repeated on script what the bandit had told him. The bandits carried him away, laughing slightly to themselves.

We may not have postponed them but we cut down their numbers! Ah Ha!

The bandits agreed it would be beneficial to the Bandit King, they tied him down in a secluded hole they had specifically for hiding out and stashing stolen goods, They went to report to the bandit king.

Vox shook his head. Just out of the gates, and they were already down two members. "i've got a bad feeling about this." he grumbled. "Call me paranoid, but this seems like an odd coincidence. One attacked, one deserted. Anyone else think this is strange?"

Vox checked his watch. Probably not paranoia yet. "I wonder if that kid had anything to do with the attack."

“I agree that it’s strange, but I’m not sure whether or not Zaku had anything to do with Haraki’s attack. I’m thinking he didn’t have a “pressing matter” to attend to.” Akuitora ventured with Vox. She was really starting to get worried. They were now down two ninjas, and unfortunately Akuitora knew all too well what her previous limits were.

Akuitora stared at the half-moon scar on her left forearm.

QUOTE

Okay everyone, now we just need to gather up these little monsters and- before she could finish, a roar was heard behind her. Akuitora looked behind her, and was for once caught speechless. A gopher the size of a huge dog was crashing through and jumped at her. Akuitora (now facing the boss gopher) tried holding her hands up to stab the gopher, but it still tackled her to the ground, now biting into her left forearm. She couldn't help but cry out from the sharp pain, but took her right hand to quickly make a cut-seal...

I need to see about that flask of yours, Vox. Akuitora calmly ordered Vox.

Last year not only was she attacked by a rabid mutant gopher, but twenty-four hours later the same arm was broken by a Mist jounin’s forbidden gate kick. The scar was dark against her pale skin, and reminded Akuitora the pain from that time. Before her reminiscing would cause an awkward pause, Akuitora cleared her head of the depressing thoughts.

Paranoia was Vox’s job, being a leader was her job.

Akuitora went to the wagon holding her and Vox’s rations, and pulled out their lunch sacks. Before walking back to Vox though, she pulled out a scrap of paper, scribbled something on the paper, and put it into Vox’s lunch sack. As she walked back to Vox, Akuitora tried to smile a bit.

“Looks like we might have to walk and eat if we want the cargo to make it to Suna on time.” Akuitora instructed Vox as she handed Vox his lunch sack and then returned to her post.

The Bandit King and his men marched ever forward, the rolling dunes around them swirled into a common monochromatic blur. Luckily the Bandit King was familiar with the area, and knew they were on the path to the gate to Konoha.

As they walked a strong smell of food hung in the air, the wind spiting the smell in their faces, 5 or so of the weaker men fell, while the others turned him back. He had just recently received news that the caravans numbers have been reduced, yet now so were his own. Down to only 15 men including himself, he felt a stronger pressure hang over him, along with the food's aroma

The sand slowly began to blend and twist into grass as trees specked into sight. The bandit king took post atop a larger hill just as he noticed 4 vague blurs over the distance, he couldn't resist himself. His voice rang in powerful echos through the hill down to the tiny group.

Well now...Is this the group that is supposed to cause us so much trouble? There is only 4 of you! HA!

He stood proud, his men crowded around him in an intimidating wave of shadow. his hands on his hips, preparing himself to grab his weapons in a hasty first strike attempt by the caravan.

Vox stared at the bandits for a moment, then glanced at Akuitora. "I don't need to say anything, do I?" He couldn't believe it. All of their careful preparations, for a bunch of goons who announced their ambushes.It seemed like a wasted effort, really. Calmly, he turned to the rest of the caravan.

"Well, folks, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that we've found the circus. The bad news is that it consists entirely of clowns." He waited to see if they would rise to the bait. They seemed arrogant, and almost completely stupid, for having pointed themselves out, so it hopefully wouldn't be too hard to taunt them into focusing on him.

A mental laugh echoed through the Bandit King's head as he heard the obvious taunt from the tiny caravan.

The Bandit King shook off his thoughts, retreating slightly to show that though they announced their presence, they could easily escape into the shadows and become invisible. Sadly after he offered his bodily hint, the less strategical of his men, namely all of those other than the 5 jounin squad leaders, rushed down the hill in a violent provoked rage.

The Bandit King shook his head miserably, he thought some common sense had sunk into them, if the enemy provokes you it clearly means they have something under their sleeve, yet his men ran forward. The hasty charge had to seem planned otherwise the chain of command would fall and it would be them vs themselves.

I see you've weeded out the weaker of my men, but that's the plan! They are fully prepared to die!

His hands merged together seamlessly as his howl of laughter echoed in the air. As he finished the combination of hand seals he muttered under his breath.

Sunaarashi

Sunaarashi, or sandstorm, was a concealing jutsu that rose a large wall of sand between the bandit king and the caravan. Himself and the 5 jounin leaders escaped into hiding along with himself, he lay in wait in the nearby trees as the barricade of sand fell harmlessly back in place.

((OOC: Any men fighting the caravan other than the Bandit King, can be controlled by the person fighting them.))

Yeah, I thought these guys would be a littler more original in trying to capture people. Akuitora agreed with Vox as she watched the twenty or so gruntmen running towards the caravan. She noticed the ring of rising sand that took away the "bandit king" and about five of his other subordinates, but the gruntmen were gaining to the caravan.

Have fun with the first round chumps. Akuitora called towards Vox. She put on her signature claws, and started flexing her hands for the gruntmen. Her plan was to let Vox take care of the majority of the gruntmen while she and Nasukara picked off the ones that Vox wasn't fighting.

Here's to bodyguards. Akuitora sumgly thought to herself as the gruntmen crowd got closer to the caravan.

"Won't take but a minute." Vox said, cracking his knuckles. His pupils dilated to take up his whole eye, and the world seemed to slow down. "Let'sgo!" he blurted out, charging the bandits. Two of them were flung backwards, simultaneously punched in the gut. Another one tried to catch Vox off-guard, but he backhanded the man's legs out from under him and slammed him into the ground with both hands. "Whattareyouwaitingforguysdon'tletmehaveallthefun!"

[[OOC: Vox is in highspeed right now. He's talking normally from his perspective, but he seems to be quickly babbling to everyone else.]]

The Bandit King and his jounin squad leaders remained camouflaged in the nearby foliage of the trees that have become thin as they mix and combined the clash of the two worlds of desert and forest. The Bandit King had all of his men in plain sight, both in cover and the ones that tossed themselves hastily into the mix, he gave a frown that remained covered by the cloth that covered his mouth. He knew his men would die, he hated the loss. He made sure to catch the eyes of the men in the trees, then jerked his head into the battle field, sending them in from behind and on both flanks.

As he maneuvered from his placement in the back, he noticed a glimpse of long claws equipped by one of the merchant's guards. His eyes opened in shock, quickly gaining his composure.

He reached for the long slender blades 'x'd over his back, the blades slid out of their custom sheaths as he adjusted himself to crouch on his left foot, to spring from the left flank whenever he had the chance.

Akuitora grinned when she heard Vox babbling as he fought. It was rare that he got to fight as roughly as this, so she tried her best to be as quick as him.

Akuitora leaped from her post and finally started fighting. First she dug her right hand's "claws" into a grunt's neck, let go as soon as she felt flesh give in, then kicked another grunt's knees out before stabbing into his lower collarbone with her left hand claws. Each of her claws soon became stained with blood as she and Vox started flying into a quick frenzy.

After she stabbed about five of the grunts, one of the larger grunts tried to swing one of his arms into her head from behind. Akuitora glanced behind and saw the grunt cock him arm. When the grunt tried to swing however, his arm met thin air. Akuitora had pulled a perfect split to avoid his muscled arm, and quickly reached up into the man's forearm. She stuck a pre-made paper seal with the kanji "Betrayal" stylized on it.

Gengaku: Betrayal! Akuitora shouted from above as she infused a small amount of chakra onto the paper seal. The burly man's eyes went cloudy, and then they became red. The burly grunt turned towards his comrades and started knocking over anyone in his reach.

It is good to be king... Akuitora smirked to herself as she watched the grunt fight through everyone.--------Gengaku: Betrayal Type: GenjutsuDescription: A paper seal with the kanji for Betrayal written on the paper is attached to the shinobi, and when activated makes the sealed attack their comrades believing them to be enemy ninja. The paper-seal then burns off after the sealed’s comrades are slain, or after three posts, whichever comes first.

((OOC: by this time about 15 grunts are alive. Also, the first person to realize who I'm quoting gets an internet cookie!))